China flexes its auto-safety chops with huge recall of Tesla, other cars

Business Recorder reported that nine carmakers, among them Tesla, Xiaomi and Leapmotor, will remedy 4.3 million vehicles in China, the biggest recall so far in the country's car market. The concern is that manual emergency releases, which let people open doors from inside, can be difficult to locate, a risk for electric vehicle owners who could be stuck if power fails. The move comes after Beijing said in February it would prohibit outside electronic door handles lacking a conventional mechanical release.

The prohibition targets minimalist door designs that Tesla made popular and Chinese EV makers have copied, and it will cover newly launched models starting next year. According to analysts quoted in the report, Beijing is tightening oversight and now obliges manufacturers to monitor how each electric car sold is maintained and whether it has been repaired. Pedro Pacheco of Gartner said China is gradually moving toward regulatory leadership in advanced vehicle technology.

Business Recorder noted that US and European authorities have not yet acted on door-release concerns, and the NHTSA declined to comment on the matter. Several US lawsuits claim Tesla's handle designs contributed to injuries or deaths when people were trapped in burning vehicles. Bill Russo of Automobility said China's requirements could push Tesla to rethink its handle design worldwide, while Tesla had not replied to the inquiry.